ERAS Protocol Reduces IL-6 Secretion in Colorectal Laparoscopic Surgery: Results From a Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program applied to colorectal laparoscopic surgery is well known to reduce hospitalization improving short-terms outcomes. Its goal is to minimize the surgical stress response in order to maintain the physiological homeostasis altered by surgery. However, there is little knowledge about the involved dynamics in the reduction of the surgical stress that these programs allow. The primary aim of this study was to compare the level of immune and nutritional serum investigators across surgery in patients undergoing elective colorectal laparoscopic surgery within an ERAS protocol or according to a standard care program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred forty patients undergoing major colorectal laparoscopic surgery were enrolled and randomized in 2 groups (70 per arm).Cortisol, C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count, prolactin, interleukin (IL)-6 levels were collected preoperatively, 1, 3, and 5 days after surgery. Transferrin, prealbumin, albumin, and triglyceride level were collected preoperatively, 1 and 5 days after surgery. Short-term outcomes were also prospectively assessed. RESULTS: IL-6 levels were lower in the ERAS group on 1, 3, and 5 days postoperatively (P<0.05). IL-6 levels in the enhanced group, differently from control group, returned to preoperative level 3 days after surgery. CRP level was lower in the enhanced group on day 1, 3, and 5 (P<0.05). There was no difference in cortisol and prolactin levels between groups. Prealbumin serum level was higher on day 5 (P<0.05) compared to standard group. CONCLUSIONS: ERAS protocol applied to colorectal laparoscopic surgery affects surgical stress response, decreasing IL-6 and CRP levels postoperatively and improving prealbumin postoperative synthesis.